Traffic makes it way along U.S. Higway 1, in St. Augustine, which often floods during heavy storms. St. Augustine is one of many chronically flooded communities along Florida’s coast, and officials in these diverse places share a common concern: They’re afraid their buildings and economies will be further inundated by rising seas in just a couple of decades. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The threat to Florida’s coasts from sea level rise is real. Street flooding in the state’s coastal communities at high tide is real. Saltwater incursion in South Florida wellfields is real.

All of this leads to a natural question: Why won’t Gov. Rick Scott take the issue of sea level rise more seriously?

For years now, at least since the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact was organized in 2009, state lawmakers have had access not only to scientific evidence of rising seas but Florida’s vulnerability from the climate phenomenon. The Compact, by the way, has been recognized by the White House as a leading voice on climate action.

It’s high time Scott and Republican legislators set aside their ideological animus toward the term “climate change,” because the increased flooding now seen in some low-lying areas at high tide will only get worse.

Indeed, there are few areas in the country that are more threatened by global climate change than Florida. Already we face monumental tasks in slowing the erosion of our beaches and preserving our groundwater from the increasing danger of saltwater intrusion.

Although legislative leaders have shown themselves to be just as tone deaf about rising seas, it falls to Scott to show the leadership needed to push the issue out front. Rather than proclaiming that he’s “not a scientist,” Scott should muster all the power of his office to draw attention to the dangers we face. Instead, he chooses to join the choir of climate change deniers that attempts to muddle and confuse Americans about the settled science in this area.

Meanwhile, the historic city of St. Augustine faces severe flooding, which is slowly drowning the city. The streets of Miami Beach’s South Beach regularly flood with sea water at high tide. Six of Hallandale Beach’s eight drinking water wells have been lost to saltwater intrusion.

To be sure climate change is a global problem. It’s also long-term. That doesn’t mean, however, that Florida leaders can’t take steps now — such as creating a statewide comprehensive strategy and plan — to deal with the impact of rising sea levels here. That includes dedicating resources such as pumping systems and sea walls, and science to help preserve our threatened coast.